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MEET THE STANS: UZBEKISTAN - a dome of the Mir-i Arab Madrassah in Bukhara. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long been a centre of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion.
Meet the Stans is a four-part BBC TV series, shown on BBC2, BBC World and by broadcasters internationally, in which Simon Reeve travelled from the far north-west of Kazakhstan, by the Russian border, east to the Chinese border, south through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the edge of Afghanistan, and west to Uzbekistan and the legendary Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
To view more of my images, of Basildon Park, please click "here" !
The elegant 18th-century interiors of Basildon Park in Berkshire lit up the small screen in the Downton Abbey Christmas special. Starring as Grantham House, the Crawleys’ London residence, Basildon Park was at the heart of the unfolding story as the family and their servants enjoy the social whirl of the summer season. The characters have always talked about it (Grantham House) but this was the first time it was show on screen. Basildon Park is a country house situated 2 miles south of Goring-on-Thames and Streatley in Berkshire, between the villages of Upper Basildon and Lower Basildon. It is owned by the National Trust and is a Grade I listed building. The house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes and designed by John Carr in the Palladian style at a time when Palladianism was giving way to the newly fashionable neoclassicism. Thus, the interiors are in a neoclassical "Adamesque" style. Never fully completed, the house passed through a succession of owners. In 1910 it was standing empty and in 1914, it was requisitioned by the British Government as an army convalescent hospital. It was again sold in 1928 and quickly sold again. In 1929, following a failed attempt to dismantle and rebuild the house in the USA, it was stripped of many of its fixtures and fittings and all but abandoned. During World War II, the house was again requisitioned and served as a barracks, a training ground for tanks, and finally a prisoner of war camp—all activities unsuited to the preservation of an already semi-derelict building. In 1952, a time when hundreds of British country houses were being demolished, it was said of Basildon Park "to say it was derelict, is hardly good enough, no window was left intact and most were repaired with cardboard or plywood." Today, Basildon Park is as notable for its mid-twentieth-century renaissance and restoration, by Lord and Lady Iliffe, as it is for its architecture. In 1978, the Iliffes gave the house, together with its park and a large endowment for its upkeep, to the National Trust in the hope that "The National Trust will protect it and its park for future generations to enjoy." Basildon is first documented in 1311 when it was granted by the crown to Elias de Colleshull. During the 16th and early 17th centuries, the manor of Basildon was held by the Yonge family. In 1654, the Basildon estate was purchased probably on behalf of Royalist Colonel George Fane by his brother-in-law the 5th Earl of Bath who died the same year (confusion as to for whom bought caused the political state of the country at the time and by George Fane's premature death). Lord Bath's widow, the former Lady Rachael Fane, bequeathed the estate to her nephew Sir Henry Fane, George Fane's son. Little is known of Basildon during the Fane ownership, but a mansion house was built with Gothic lodges. These lodges survive and serve the present house. The manor remained a Fane possession until it was offered for sale in 1766 by the heirs of the 2nd Viscount Fane, essentially, his two married sisters Dorothy Montagu and Mary de Salis. The estate was purchased in 1771 by Sir Francis Sykes. Having made a fortune in India, Sykes returned to England to realise his social and political ambitions. For these to be fulfilled, Sykes required a grand estate conveniently close to London; he built Basildon Park to serve that purpose.
Mostly from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia !
A far view of the Galata Tower, a monument I was to spot from several places around town. A painting of this monument in my hotel's dining area appeared earlier in this album. The nine storeyed tower is 66.90 meters tall (62.59 m without the ornament on top, 51.65 m at the observation deck), and was the city's tallest structure when it was built. The elevation at ground level is 35 meters above sea-level. The tower has an external diameter of 16.45 meters at the base, an 8.95 meters diameter inside, and walls that are 3.75 meters thick. I was never able to find out what purpose this tower served during it's heydays. The tower is located in the historic part of town on the European side. (Istanbul, Turkey, Nov. 2014)
FIU Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE) , Horizon Properties & Miami Association of Realtors Networking Event
November 5, 2015 | Sergios' Doral | Miami, FL
Watergate Bay is a bay located two miles north of Newquay in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Due to the two mile long, sandy beach and exposed north westerly location, it is a popular location for water sports, kite flying, and sand art. The Watergate Bay Hotel and Fifteen Cornwall, a restaurant set up by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, are located just above the beach and there are a number of caravan and camping sites within easy reach.
This is the defining view of Glen Lethnot from the top of West Craig and it has to be one of the finest views in Angus. Due to its remote location, not many people seem to visit here which is both good and bad. It's good because it means I've always had this glorious scene to myself. The only reason I say it could be a bad thing is because it'd be interesting to compare my photos to those of others who have been here.
With that said, I can compare this photo to the one I took from this spot back in April. I have to say that despite the more interesting sky and more varied colour palette of the August scene, I prefer the April view as the shadows are stronger and the view somehow manages to feel even more remote. I'll have to capture this scene again in either snowy or frosty conditions...
If you want to feel like you were on this walk, a lot of it was filmed and turned into a 16 minute video.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller is presented an award at Les Invalides, Paris, France, May 24, 2018. Gen. Neller received the French National Order of Merit Award from French Army Chief, Gen. Jean-Pierre Bosser. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Olivia G. Ortiz)
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
SW 34th Street and Hull Road
Gainesville, Florida 32611-2700
PHONE 352.392.9826
Upon arriving at the ruins of Ancient Delphi, we learn that two-thirds of the site is closed due to technical difficulties. Grrrrr! This is very disappointing. We walk back to the entrance and talk to a woman at the ticket office at the gate. She tells us they’ve recently had rocks fall down the mountain onto the upper portion of the site. It’s very dangerous up at the Temple of Apollo and beyond. Understanding the situation better, we both calm down and look around, analyzing our options. My dad suggests I draw another part of the site, the Temple of Athena Pronaia, just across the road and a short way down the hill.
Once I’m at the Temple of Athena, I walk around to determine what might occupy me for the rest of the day, and I see plenty. Before me stand the ruins of the Tholos, a circular building of the Doric order, the function of which is still a mystery to archeologists. I’ll have no problem drawing here. What a relief. I pull my chair from its bag, unfold it, and begin to draw.
The visit and guided tour of Poblet Monastery.
Monks still lives in this monastery. It was restored in the 20th century, having been ruined in the 19th century. There are tombs here of the Kings and Queens of Aragon.
The Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet (Catalan: Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Poblet) is a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1151, located at the foot of the Prades Mountains, in the comarca of Conca de Barberà, in Catalonia (Spain). It was founded by Cistercian monks from France on lands conquered from the Moors. The main architect was Arnau Bargués.
This monastery was the first of three sister monasteries, known as the Cistercian triangle, that helped consolidate power in Catalonia in the 12th century. (The other two are Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.)
Poblet was one of the two royal pantheons of the kings of the Crown of Aragon since James I of Aragon (along with Monastery of San Juan de la Peña). Some of the most important royal sepulchres have alabaster statues that lie over the tomb. The kings have lion sculptures at their feet, while the queens have dogs.
Peter IV of Aragon (1319 – 1387) made it a condition, under solemn oath at the moment of crowning, that all the Aragonese kings be buried there. Only Ferdinand II of Aragon broke the oath, after his kingdom had been merged with the Kingdom of Castile, and was buried in Granada.
The Calefactory
Or "warming room". Used by monks to alleviate the chill of winter. Was also used as the monks' barber's shop.
Window
The government of the Swiss Confederation has been based in the Bundeshaus (Parliament) in Bern since the building was completed in 1902.
Built to the plans of architect Hans Wilhelm Auer in the Neo-Renaissance style, it is home to both the National Council and the Council of States, with each of the country’s cantons represented.
Guided tours are available in many languages, allowing you to look around both of the chambers and the impressive domed hall which stands between them and beneath the copped-topped dome seen from the outside.
The parliament is fronted by the Bundesplatz, where 23 water jet fountains – one for each of the cantons – shoot up into the air from the pavement every day.
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- Lt. Col. Mark L. Mitchem became the third commander of the Air Force's 314th Training Squadron, relieving Lt. Col. Thomas E. Barnett in a Change of Command Ceremony held at Soldier Field on July 23. 517th Training Group Commander Col. Laura Ryan presided over the event which included performances by the Air Force DLI Choir and 314th TRS Drill Team.
Official Presidio of Monterey Web site
Official Presidio of Monterey Facebook
PHOTO by Steven L. Shepard, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs.
www.thecatyouandus.com/late-snapshots-march-2/
New post on the blog!
Today is the last day of this agitated month of March. The overall feeling after this rocky (meaning work-wise) start of year, is that I need a vacation. However, when I look back at the pictures and think about what happened I can’t help it but smile back at them. ... Keep reading on the blog
Mayor Bill de Blasio delivers his seventh State of the City address at the American Museum of Natural History on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
The cloisters of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey (The Collegiate Church of St Peter)
In the 1040s King Edward (later St Edward the Confessor) established his royal palace by the banks of the river Thames on land known as Thorney Island. Close by was a small Benedictine monastery founded under the patronage of King Edgar and St Dunstan around 960A.D. This monastery Edward chose to re-endow and greatly enlarge, building a large stone church in honour of St Peter the Apostle. This church became known as the "west minster" to distinguish it from St Paul's Cathedral (the east minster) in the City of London. Unfortunately, when the new church was consecrated on 28th December 1065 the King was too ill to attend and died a few days later. His mortal remains were entombed in front of the High Altar.
The only traces of Edward's monastery to be seen today are in the round arches and massive supporting columns of the undercroft and the Pyx Chamber in the cloisters. The undercroft was originally part of the domestic quarters of the monks. Among the most significant ceremonies that occurred in the Abbey at this period was the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas day 1066, and the "translation" or moving of King Edward's body to a new tomb a few years after his canonisation in 1161.
Edward's Abbey survived for two centuries until the middle of the 13th century when King Henry III decided to rebuild it in the new Gothic style of architecture. It was a great age for cathedrals: in France it saw the construction of Amiens, Evreux and Chartres and in England Canterbury, Winchester and Salisbury, to mention a few. Under the decree of the King of England, Westminster Abbey was designed to be not only a great monastery and place of worship, but also a place for the coronation and burial of monarchs. This church was consecrated on 13th October 1269. Unfortunately the king died before the nave could be completed so the older structure stood attached to the Gothic building for many years.
Every monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned in the Abbey, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII (who abdicated) who were never crowned. The ancient Coronation Chair can still be seen in the church.
It was natural that Henry III should wish to translate the body of the saintly Edward the Confessor into a more magnificent tomb behind the High Altar in his new church. This shrine survives and around it are buried a cluster of medieval kings and their consorts including Henry III, Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, Edward III and Philippa of Hainault, Richard II and Anne of Bohemia and Henry V.
There are around 3,300 burials in the church and cloisters and many more memorials. The Abbey also contains over 600 monuments, and wall tablets – the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in the country. Notable among the burials is the Unknown Warrior, whose grave, close to the west door, has become a place of pilgrimage. Heads of State who are visiting the country invariably come to lay a wreath at this grave.
A remarkable new addition to the Abbey was the glorious Lady chapel built by King Henry VII, first of the Tudor monarchs, which now bears his name. This has a spectacular fan-vaulted roof and the craftsmanship of Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano can be seen in Henry's fine tomb. The chapel was consecrated on 19th February 1516. Since 1725 it has been associated with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and the banners of the current Knights Grand Cross surround the walls. The Battle of Britain memorial window by Hugh Easton can be seen at the east end in the Royal Air Force chapel. A new stained glass window above this, by Alan Younger, and two flanking windows with a design in blue by Hughie O'Donoghue, give colour to this chapel.
Two centuries later a further addition was made to the Abbey when the western towers (left unfinished from medieval times) were completed in 1745, to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Little remains of the original medieval stained glass, once one of the Abbey's chief glories. Some 13th century panels can be seen in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. The great west window and the rose window in the north transept date from the early 18th century but the remainder of the glass is from the 19th century onwards. The newest stained glass is in The Queen Elizabeth II window, designed by David Hockney.
History did not cease with the dissolution of the medieval monastery on 16th January 1540. The same year Henry VIII erected Westminster into a cathedral church with a bishop (Thomas Thirlby), a dean and twelve prebendaries (now known as Canons). The bishopric was surrendered on 29th March 1550 and the diocese was re-united with London, Westminster being made by Act of Parliament a cathedral church in the diocese of London. Mary I restored the Benedictine monastery in 1556 under Abbot John Feckenham.
But on the accession of Elizabeth I the religious houses revived by Mary were given by Parliament to the Crown and the Abbot and monks were removed in July 1559. Queen Elizabeth I, buried in the north aisle of Henry VII's chapel, refounded the Abbey by a charter dated 21 May 1560 as a Collegiate Church exempt from the jurisdiction of archbishops and bishops and with the Sovereign as its Visitor. Its Royal Peculiar status from 1534 was re-affirmed by the Queen and In place of the monastic community a collegiate body of a dean and prebendaries, minor canons and a lay staff was established and charged with the task of continuing the tradition of daily worship (for which a musical foundation of choristers, singing men and organist was provided) and with the education of forty Scholars who formed the nucleus of what is now Westminster School (one of the country's leading independent schools). In addition the Dean and Chapter were responsible for much of the civil government of Westminster, a role which was only fully relinquished in the early 20th century.
[Westminster Abbey]
Text: Birthplace of American Methodism / Robert Strawbridge d. 1781 / ..The pioneer preacher of American Methodism purchased from John England, Sr. this house and farm March 2, 1773. A part of England's Chance and bothers' inheritance, on which he had lived for 13 years since his coming to America 1760. Here he formed / ..The First Class of Methodism / John Evans, his wife Eleanor Evans, his nephew Job Evans, and Mary Evans his wife, Nancy Murphy and Mrs. Hoy. "Here Mr. Strawbridge formed the first Society in Maryland and America." From Asbury's Journal, May 5, 1801...The First Society of Methodism / John Evans, William Durbin, Andrew Poulson, John England, William Daman, Benjamin Marcarel, George Havener, Richard Smith, Thomas Leakin, James ... Daniel Stephenson ... (incomplete)
Stone rhyton in the shape of a head of a lioness which is made of alabaster.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum regarded as one of the most important museums in Europe, is located in the center of Iraklion or Heraklion city. During the Venetian occupation period the Catholic Monastery of Saint Francisco used to be in the same place. Until it's destruction in the earthquake of 1856, it had been one of the richest and most important monasteries in Crete and had contained great Byzantine frescos.
The construction of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum started in the beginning of the 20th century and was completed by 1940.
On the ground floor of the museum there are 13 rooms open to the public while on the 1st floor fragments of the original frescos from the Minoan Palace of Knossos are exhibited. All exhibits in the Heraklion Museum come exclusively from archaeological sites in Crete. The exhibits of the museum are arranged chronologically.
If you like this, You can check my Most Interesting Photos according to Flickr.
The U.S. Army Materiel Command hosted a change of command ceremony, Tuesday, August 7. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody relinquished command to Gen. Dennis L. Via. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno presided over the ceremony. U.S. Army Photo by Cherish Washington, AMC Public Affairs.
Brief History of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The well authenticated story of the five apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary is briefly related here:
1st Apparition: At dawn on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert, was going to Tlatelolco to attend catechism class and hear the Mass. As he was passing Tepeyac Hill, he saw a brilliant light on the summit and heard the strains of celestial music. Filled with wonder, he stopped. Then he heard a feminine voice asking him to ascend. When he reached the top he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in the midst of a glorious light, in heavenly splendor. The beauty of her youthful countenance and her look of loving kindness filled Juan Diego with unspeakable happiness as he listened to the words which she spoke to him in his native language. She told him she was the perfect and eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, and made known to him her desire that a shrine be built there where she could demonstrate her love, her compassion and her protection. "For I am your merciful Mother", she said, "to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire."
2nd Apparition: The Bishop was reluctant to believe Juan Diego's story. Juan returned to Tepeyac Hill where he found the Blessed Virgin waiting for him, and told her of his failure. She bade him return to the Bishop the next day and repeat her wishes.
3rd Apparition: The Bishop then requested that the Lady give him a sign. Juan reported that evening and she promised to grant his petition on the following morning. But Juan was prevented from coming because of a sudden and severe illness of his uncle, Juan Bernardino.
4th Apparition: Two days later, on December 12, as he was going to the Church at Tlatelolco in order to bring a priest to his dying uncle, Juan Diego was stopped by the Lady, who had come down from Tepeyac Hill to meet him in the road. She listened quietly to Juan's excuse for not having kept his appointment with her the day before. When he had finished speaking she said, "It is well, littlest and dearest of my sons, but now listen to me. Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do not fear for your uncle for he is not going to die. Be assured... he is already well."
Having heard these words, Juan Diego rejoiced and asked for the sign he was to take to the Bishop. He was told to climb to the top of the hill where she had spoken to him on three previous occasions. She said he would find many flowers blooming there which he was to cut and bring to her. Juan Diego did as he was told though he knew no flowers had ever bloomed before on the stony summit. He discovered a marvelous garden of dew-fresh blossoms which he cut as she had asked. Placing them in his rough cloak, or tilma, he brought the flowers to the Lady who rearranged them and told him to take them to the Bishop; that this was the sign to persuade him to carry out her wishes.
Nestor Mendez, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belize to the OAS and Candidate for Assistant Secretary General
Date: March 04, 2015
Place: Washington, DC
Credit: Maria Patricia Leiva/OAS
Dr. David Han gives the authroization to confer degrees during the 49th commencement for Penn State College of Medicine at the Hershey Lodge on Saturday, May 18, 2019.
30th January 2020 at the Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow.
Celtic Connections Festival, www.celticconnections.com/.
Country: Iceland (Scottish resident). Style: own compositions in style of Traditional Scottish Folk.
Lineup: Graham Rorie (mandolin/fiddle), Kristan Harvey (fiddle), Pàdruig Morrison (piano accordion), Rory Matheson (p), James Lindsay (b), Signy Jakobsdottir (d/percussion) and guests: Le Vent du Nord.
This year is the 350th anniversary of the formation of the Hudson's Bay Company. The company had a dtrong connection with Orkney (Stromness was the last stop for ships crossing the Atlantic to the Bay), for example in 1799 Orcadians made up two thirds of the work force. Graham Rorie is from Orkney and lives in Glasgow and is best known as a member of the group Gnoss. His interest in the Canadian connection brgan when he was one of the house band for a play about the Orcadian Arctic explorer John Rae. He decided to write a composition project around the topic of 'The Orcadians of Hudson's Bay' and this was originally offered to Celtic Connections for the "New Voices" stream, but instead was launched at a Mitchell Theatre concert. The Canandian theme was limited to tune titles and not the style of the music, although at Donald Shaw's suggestion Le Vent du Nord were added as guests (Québec is one of the provinces bordering Hudson Bay). I have taken photos of Graham Rorie with Gnoss and with Josie Duncan (www.flickr.com/photos/kmlivemusic/tags/grahamrorie,-theor...). As well as all the other musicians taking part in the concert elsewhere (to view click on their names in my tags).
More information: grahamrorie.com/, www.facebook.com/grahamroriemusic/.
This week, we recorded the stories of 12 local activists who dared to change the world. We interviewed members of the Mill Valley Community Action Network (MVCAN), our grassroots political action group.
This photo set covers our production for the video interviews we shot at my home studio over two days: Sunday, August 27 and Saturday, September 2, 2017. Here are the MVCAN members we talked to on Sunday: Natalie Frederick, Peter Graumann, June Cooperman, Susan Bolle, Suz Lipman and Carol Korenbrot. On Saturday, we spoke with Danny Altman, Laura Boles, Matt Jaffe, Lisa Ristorucci, Eileen Fisher and Bernard Catalinotto
We talked about their reactions to recent news events and how they took political action in response. The interviews show each activist against a black background, head and shoulders only, with great lighting. They were expertly shot by our friend Gary Yost, a talented filmmaker, as a labor of love.
We will edit a number of videos from those interviews in October: a year-in-review montage and short vignettes and community profiles. These videos will premiere in our November event, and will be shared on the MVCAN site and through social media at that time.
Our activists found their voice and spoke up, loud and clear. We hope they will inspire more people to take political action. Their acts of resistance did more than just liberate them: they can engage millions more to stand up for liberty and justice.
Join your neighbors to keep democracy alive!
See more photos about our MVCAN anniversary:
www.flickr.com/photos/fabola/albums/72157686122049373
Learn more about our MVCAN Videos:
Learn more about MVCAN:
#hope #millvalley #mvcan #mvcanvideos #politics #resist
The Round the Island Race is an annual yacht race around the Isle of Wight. It starts and finishes in Cowes, and is organised by the Island Sailing Club. The course is about 50 nautical miles (93 km) long. The race was first held in 1931 and since 2005 it has been sponsored by JP Morgan Asset Management.
Wikipedia
GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) Visit, board, search and seizure member Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Evan T. Gainer, from Lancaster, Pa., checks his surroundings aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) during a bilateral counter-piracy exercise with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548). The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
The North Carolina National Guard recognizes four infantry Soldiers Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Stewart, Master Sgt. Kim Richardson, right, Master Sgt. William Andrews and Capt. Charlie Noble with the Order of Saint Maurice, an award from the National Infantry Association, for their service and leadership in Infantry Companies with the 1-252nd Armor Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team at a ceremony held at NCNG Headquarters in Raleigh, May 18, 2021. The order honors leaders outstanding contribution to the Infantry, “these Soldiers are a very special group, this is a most prestigious award,” Col. Wes Morrison, commander of the 30th ABCT said. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Robert Jordan, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs/Released)